Leonotis nepetifolia

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Leonotis nepetifolia
Leonotis leonorus1.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Leonotis
Species:
L. nepetifolia
Binomial name
Leonotis nepetifolia

Leonotis nepetifolia, (also known as klip dagga, Christmas candlestick, or lion's ear[1]), is a species of plant in the genus Leonotis and the family Lamiaceae (mint). It is native to tropical Africa and southern India. It can also be found growing abundantly in much of Latin America, the West Indies,[2] and the Southeastern United States.[3] It grows to a height of 3 metres (9 ft 10 in) and has whorls of striking lipped flowers, that are most commonly orange,[1] but can vary to red, white, and purple. It has drooping dark green, very soft serrated leaves that can grow up to 10 centimetres (4 in) wide.[1] Sunbirds and ants are attracted to the flowers.[1] It has been found growing on road sides, rubbish heaps or waste land.[1]

L. nepetifolia is considered an invasive plant in Australia, Florida, and Hawaii, though its tendency to grow in disturbed areas led researchers in Hawaii to conclude it's not likely to be an ecological threat.[4]

Varieties
  1. Leonotis nepetifolia var. africana (P.Beauv.) J.K.Morton - Indian Subcontinent, much of Africa
  2. Leonotis nepetifolia var. nepetifolia - much of Africa

Related species[]

Leonotis nepetifolia (klip dagga) is related to L. leonurus (wild dagga or lion's tail.) The most noticeable difference between the two is the leaf shape. L. nepetifolia leaves are cordate with serrated edges, except the top pair which are lanceolate with serrated edges, as pictured in taxonomy box. The leaves are all lanceolate with serrated edges on L. leonurus.

Traditional medicine[]

Leonotis nepetifolia is known in Trinidad as shandilay and the leaves are brewed as a tea for fever, coughs, womb prolapse and malaria.[5] The dried leaves are sometimes used as a legal substitute for marijuana.[6] The roots of L. nepetifolia are considered to be the botanical sources of granthiparna, an ayurvedic herb.[citation needed]

Gallery[]

  • Leaf

  • Flowers

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e Napier, E. "NOTES· ON WILD FLOWERS" (PDF). biodiversitylibrary.org. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  2. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ^ "Plants Profile for Leonotis nepetifolia (Christmas candlestick)". plants.usda.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
  4. ^ "Leonotis nepetifolia (Christmas candelstick)". CABI Invasive Species Compendium. November 22, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Mendes, John. 1986. Cote ce Cote la: Trinidad & Tobago Dictionary, Arima, Trinidad, p. 135.
  6. ^ "LION'S EAR HERBAL TEA". tropilab.com. Retrieved 2021-03-10.

External links[]

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